A splash of spring colour Hindu festival of Holi celebrates the changing of the season with a vibrant array of hues By: Romona Goomansingh Posted: 2:05 PM CDT Thursday, Mar. 28, 2024

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This article was published 28/03/2024 (784 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Following the bleakness of winter, we look forward to the brightness spring brings our way. Celebrating the arrival of spring with colours is a welcoming way to start the season.

Around the world, Hindus celebrated Holi, the festival of colours, a two-day celebration occurring this year on March 24 and 25, with the latter being the day of Holi. The festival typically falls during the full moon of March, coinciding with the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna (February-March). With the same seasonal change taking place at the same time both here and in India, the festival of colours is eagerly anticipated among Hindu communities near and far.

Besides marking the end of winter and the arrival of spring, there are a few mythological Hindu stories associated with Holi, says Pandit Venkat Machiraju, one of the priests at the Hindu Society of Manitoba Temple. The most common story is the demon King Hiranyakashipu being destroyed as a symbol of goodness and righteousness prevailing over evil and immorality.

The story is premised upon the king who believed he was the Supreme Lord and sought to be worshipped. But his son Prahlada, who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu, told his father you cannot challenge God’s power. The king responded to his son with anger. He considered his son an enemy and demanded the death penalty for Prahlada. The king invoked the female demoness Holika to destroy his son. Holika, who had the advantage of being safe from fire, sat with Prahlada in her lap, encircled by fire. But instead, Holika was burned to death, the king was destroyed and Prahlada was saved by Lord Vishnu. The festival of colours emerged as a celebration of this victory of good over evil.

Pandit Machiraju says the story is a testament of the unwavering faith in God, symbolized by Prahlada, over the evil nature of the king and Holika. “The message of spiritual significance is as humans, our lower nature can be completely destroyed by intense devotion. Once you are intently devoted, you will overcome all your lower natures and sins, and gain enlightenment.”

On the eve of Holi, March 24, sacred fires or ritualistic bonfires are lit to signify the burning of all evils and good prevailing. Last Sunday evening, a havan, or sacred fire, was lit outside the Hindu Temple and the Dr. Raj Pandey Hindu Centre, and prayers were offered for the ritual known as Holika Dahan.

Pandit Machiraju shares another story. On Holi, Lord Shiva destroyed Kamadeva who is regarded as the God of desires. Kamadeva tried to distract Lord Shiva while he was in deep meditation.

“All the world is full of endless desires… whether it is in relationships, buying a house or a car, they come with many strings attached and eventually you have to separate from them. When you can conquer or overcome your desires, you can achieve greater happiness and enjoy the colours of life. Your life will become more colourful. You become mindful to enjoy life in the moment and the world will become a less dark and gloomy place,” he says.

Last Sunday, Holi festivities were held at the Hindu Temple. They began in the morning with a congregation of hundreds of devotees and a service that included the singing of Holi songs. Soon after, the crowd shifted to the cultural centre to partake in a community meal.

In the afternoon, festivities continued outside in the temple parking lot with “playing Holi,” as the celebration is referred to fondly. Community members merrily placed coloured powder (gulal) on each other’s faces, while others playfully showered one another with the powder.

Streaks of bright colours —green, orange, yellow, indigo blue, pink and purple — filled the air as the festive powder was splashed on friends and families, leaving behind patterns of colours on the pavement.

The crisp afternoon weather did not prevent a large crowd of participants from playing Holi. Each colour of gulal offers meaning for one’s life. Green is for new beginnings and rejuvenation of nature; yellow is for happiness, good health, knowledge and learning; and pink is for cheerfulness, caring and compassion.

Playing Holi is celebrated with dancing and music, both of which were on full display. Popular pulsating Bollywood Holi songs kept community members enjoying the fun-filled festival. With spring break in full swing, many kids and younger members of the community participated in the festival and brought youthful energy to the celebration.

Holi is connected to the greatly adored Lord Krishna. During Holi, the deity is happily dancing with his Gopikas, or consorts, who express their divine love and devotion for him. As Pandit Machiraju says, “Holi is celebrated for Krishna and all the Gopikas. The Gopikas represent devotees who are experiencing and enjoying the divine love of God.”

With the world experiencing many struggles and much darkness right now, we need the energy of bright colours in our lives, communities and world. As Holi ke rang (the colours of Holi) are celebrated at this special time of spring, there is a wish that happiness, hope, laughter, love and light will be bestowed all around.

Romona Goomansingh, PhD, is an educator, freelance writer and author in Winnipeg.

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